Surface Preparation & Sandblasting Services

Industrial-Grade Sandblasting for Long-Lasting Protection

At ESM, surface preparation isn’t just a first step—it’s the foundation of every successful coating system. We deliver precision sandblasting and abrasive blasting services to prepare steel, concrete, and other substrates for high-performance coatings. Whether onsite or in-shop, our experienced crews use industry-leading equipment and strict safety protocols to ensure surfaces are clean, profiled, and coating-ready.

Mobile & In-Shop Sandblasting

We offer both remote/mobile and in-house sandblasting options to serve diverse project requirements:

Industrial sandblasting technician performing onsite surface preparation in Northern California

Onsite Mobile Blasting:

Our self-contained blasting rigs and mobile dust collection units allow us to mobilize anywhere within a 250-mile radius of Sacramento. We blast tanks, pipelines, structural steel, marine vessels, and more—on your schedule, at your site.

Sandblasting operator preparing steel parts inside ESM’s controlled-environment blasting booth

Shop Blasting:

For components or structures that can be delivered to our Sacramento facility, we provide controlled-environment blasting that meets rigorous spec standards.

Applications

ESM's sandblasting capabilities support a wide range of industries and asset types:

Fuel & Water Storage Tanks

Restore aging tanks with precision blasting that ensures optimal adhesion for interior linings and exterior coatings.

Wastewater Treatment Plants

Safely remove biofilm, corrosion, and deteriorated coatings from clarifiers, tanks, and containment structures.

Bridges and Overpasses

Surface preparation that meets DOT and Caltrans standards—ideal for structural steel preservation and recoating.

Naval and Commercial Ships

Marine-grade blasting solutions for hulls, decks, and ballast tanks—compliant with MIL-SPEC and shipyard protocols.

Industrial Facilities

Onsite or in-shop blasting to prep machinery, tanks, and floors for high-performance industrial coatings.

Steel Structures and Piping Systems

Achieve proper blast profiles on structural steel and pipework to ensure corrosion-resistant coating performance.

Surface Preparation Standards & Safety

Our work meets or exceeds SSPC and NACE (now AMPP) surface prep standards, including:

SSPC-SP 5 / NACE No. 1 — White Metal Blast Cleaning

Removes all visible rust, mill scale, paint, oil, grease, and other foreign matter from the surface by abrasive blasting. The result is a bare, uniform, metallic surface—used where maximum coating adhesion and durability are critical, such as tank linings, immersion service, or harsh industrial environments.

SSPC-SP 10 / NACE No. 2 — Near-White Metal Blast Cleaning

Removes nearly all visible contaminants, allowing only slight staining on no more than 5% of each unit area. Suitable for high-performance coatings in aggressive service environments like wastewater treatment, marine infrastructure, or exterior steel structures.

SSPC-SP 6 / NACE No. 3 — Commercial Blast Cleaning

Removes loose rust, scale, and old paint, but allows staining or tightly adhered residues on up to 33% of each unit area. Commonly specified for atmospheric exposure where complete removal isn't necessary, but good coating adhesion is still important.

SSPC-SP 7 / NACE No. 4 — Brush-Off Blast Cleaning

A light blast used to remove loose mill scale, rust, and coatings without damaging tightly bonded materials. Often used for maintenance painting or to prepare galvanized surfaces and weathered coatings for overcoating.

We employ environmentally responsible practices including dust containment, waste capture, and lead paint abatement when required. Our team is fully trained for confined space entry, elevated work, and hazardous coating removal (QP2 certified).

Precision Blasting. Certified Execution. Proven Results.

From QP1-QP3 credentials to proven field performance, ESM delivers sandblasting that meets spec, schedule, and safety—every time.

SSPC QP1, QP2, QP3 Certified

Only a select group of contractors earn these national certifications—proof of ESM’s commitment to quality control, environmental safety, and hazardous coating removal on complex industrial and infrastructure projects.

Close-up view of Sacramento’s Tower Bridge structural steel under golden sunset lighting

Government & Public Infrastructure

Commercial Maritime

From cargo ships to ferry terminals, ESM delivers industrial-grade surface preparation and coating systems that withstand the harshest marine conditions. Our crews handle hull cleaning, anti-corrosion blasting, and protective coatings on commercial vessels and port infrastructure across Northern California.

Typical Projects:

Freight and cargo vessel hull prep
Ferry and passenger terminal structures
Shipyard blasting and recoating
Port cranes and loading equipment
Tanker maintenance (exterior/interior)

Compliance Highlights:

Marine-grade epoxy and anti-fouling systems
Onsite mobile blasting available at ports and docks
VOC-compliant, environmentally safe coating practices

Close-up view of a U.S. Navy military vessel showcasing radar systems, antennas, and armored hull structure

Government & Public Infrastructure

Typical Projects:

U.S. Navy vessels and support fleet
Secure base infrastructure (fuel tanks, armories)
Ship deck blasting and repainting
Confined-space blasting for classified applications
Hazardous coating removal (QP2)

Compliance Highlights:

MIL-DTL and SSPC/NACE standards
Confined space certified, OSHA 10/30 compliant crews
Proven experience with procurement and government contracts

OUR

Precision Crews. Proven Performance.

Our experienced sandblasting technicians and AMPP-compliant inspectors ensure every surface is prepped to spec—whether it’s a fuel tank lining, bridge girder, or industrial piping system.